If You Love Jane.com...

I'm addicted and I know I'm not alone.  These daily deal sites are pretty much the best shopping invention since Wal-Mart.  They've made putting together a fashionable look easier than ever and not spending every penny of my paycheck more challenging.  I started with Jane and quickly realized how much bang I could get for my buck if I knew what I was looking for and acted quickly.  I still swear that Jane is hands down the BEST boutique deal site around, but if you're looking for more, be sure to check out these other awesome finds!  


Hands down the 2nd best deals out there.  I buy equally between here and Jane.


toAdorn
Great selection. Very similar feel to Jane.  Could use a little more organization, like a way to filter categories.


Huge site!  Tons of deals in all different price ranges.  Plan on spending some time to get through all the deals.  There is also a large monogram selection for those who are into that kinda thing ;)




Some junk, some treasures.  I've seen a good bit of cute accessories on here.  Definitely affordable and worth a look every now and then.




Love. Love.  Love!  Great selection of deals including lots of home decor and party supplies.  I also feel like I see different things on this site than the others, so that's a plus!


Might be a Jane clone, but you can't have too much of a good thing in my opinion :)



Happy shopping and please leave a comment if you know of another great site that I've forgotten!


Linked up on Five on Friday.


post signature

Thanksgiving Cats

Because nothing says Thanksgiving like cats in costume!  You're welcome.



Wishing you and your family the best Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season to come!  


post signature

Guidelines to Clean Out Your Closet!


This past week, the hubs and I did something that was loooong overdue.  We went through our closets, which were all bursting at the seams, and came up with a sizable donation so close to the holidays.  With switching to winter decor, I almost feel like it's spring cleaning time again.  I was really pleasantly surprised by the quality of the items I am donating and hope that someone in need will get a lot of wear out of my stuff!  


Do you think you have stuff in your closet you are ready to part with?  It can be a hard task.  That is if you don't have the right set of guidelines to follow ;)  

Ask yourself...

Does it fit?  If you're a bargain hunter like me you probably have quite a few items that do not fit anything like they once did after a few rounds through the washer.  You may wish it still fit the way you wanted, but it doesn't.  There is no going back.

Is it age appropriate?  I have quite a few items that would be super cute if I were still 22, but I'm afraid I may get some strange looks from my friends if I showed up somewhere in them today.  Somebody else could totally rock it though.

Have you worn it in the past year?  If not, you probably won't wear it this year either.  Just sayin'. 

Can you think of a place you might wear it this year?  Sure,  it's super cute, sexy even.  But do you have an actual venue in mind where you could wear such a thing?  If not, pass it on.  Surely there is someone out there who can make use of such an awesome outfit!

Is it worn out?  These are the toughest ones to part with.  The clothing items that have gotten their money's worth, that have been with us through thick and thin, that never fail to make us feel beautiful.  But even these, after enough time, have to be replaced.  Be honest and toss it if it's time.  

If your answer is no to any of these questions, I suggest parting ways knowing you can donate to someone who will truly appreciate and use the things that are just sitting in your closet wastefully.  'Tis the season of giving.  May as well clean simultaneously! 






post signature

Holiday Favorites to Get You Feeling Festive

While spending the weekend laying low, I got to do some cleaning up and get things ready to take down the holiday decor next week.  No, I'm not willing to put it up early. My Thanksgiving decor is too cute and it's become my tradition to bring the Christmas boxes out the weekend after.  But that doesn't mean I haven't been looking, buying, and storing in preparation.  Like a squirrel with an acorn, I've strategically been stashing items behind the bed, in the shoe bin, in my trunk... just waiting for Friday when my house shall explode with holiday cheer.  Are you ready to get in the spirit of the season?  Check out these favorites that are sure to leave you feeling jolly.




One.  Glitter tree place card holders.  These would look amazing in the silver and gold dining room I am envisioning.  I can't wait to pull out my stuff and see what I'm working with!

Two. "Staching through the Snow" cocktail napkins.  I'm not sure what it says about a person when a napkin can bring personal joy her life, but that's pretty much what it's come down to.

Three.  Thermal pajamas.  I know I said I wanted to start dressing my age, but pajamas are a clear exception to the rule.  If I can't express my true personality in bed, what's left to dress for?  I think that came out wrong.  Whoops.  

Four.  These adorable holiday serving platters are at Big Lots.  Crap.  I'm addicted to Big Lots.  I've become my mother.  #sorrynotsorry

Five.  Stemless holiday glasses in bright colors.  Because as much as I love silver and gold, I also want candy colors.  My goals, my wedding, holiday decor.... turns out I can't make my mind up about anything.  Smh.


Weekend Recap    Mingle 240
Also linked with Monday Morning Gossip and Funday Monday



post signature

Five on Friday: The Things I Think

It's Friday and I'm ready to jump back in with my top 5!  Top 5 random thoughts of the week that is.  With a whole lot of crazy going on in life these days, you'll have to forgive my lack of organization, but that doesn't mean I don't have a sense of humor in tact... so let's get to it.

First, dresses like this that keep popping up on Forever 21.  The heck. is. that??  I've been seeing it for months now and I think it's pretty fetch.  As in stop trying to make fetch happen!  It's not going to happen!  End rant.
I guess the see through leggings weren't edgy enough.

Second, shame on Honda for playing on my emotions and trying to sell me cars via childhood heroes.  As if Strawberry Shortcake wasn't bad enough, you've now hired Jem?? I'm sure they're vehicle experts for sure.  I mean, between the Big Berry Trolley and the Rockin' Roadster, they clearly know their stuff.

Okay, I'm done with the sarcasm.  I'm ready for Christmas and obsessed with candles and... pumpkin pecan waffles??  Who thinks of this stuff?? Christ, I've never even smelled it and I already want to eat it.  Get in my dining room.  Now.

Speaking of Christmas, I've had a bit of a shopping addiction lately.  Mostly for holiday decor, but then I saw these warm, adorable, inexpensive flannel sheets on my last Wal-Mart excursion.  They have dogs on them, and that makes them irresistible.  Don't tell the hubs but they're sitting in our closet just waiting to miraculously show up on our bed the next time I do laundry.  I have NO IDEA how they got there.  


Finally, I have a confession to make.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel like it's the right thing to do given the amount of Taylor Swift dislike I've put out there.  I may or may not have compared one of her songs to Rebecca Black's Friday, even though it wasn't as good.  And I may or may not roll my eyes every time I see her on TV.  But her latest song, Blank Space, gosh dang it.... it's a good song.  Shhhhhh!  I'm not saying it again.  That's all you get.  But I'll admit, I'm hooked.  




Check 'em out!

post signature

An Attitude of Gratitude


Well it’s that time of year, the time to give thanks for all of the wonderful people and things in our lives.  It’s also no secret that I’ve been experiencing a certain amount of anxiety over the past few months.  Suddenly I’m questioning the purpose of my entire life and dwelling on past regrets and shortcomings that have left me feeling less than accomplished for a woman of 32 years.  It’s not that I’m ungrateful for the things I have, but rather the feeling that I’m not really living up to my potential.  But what the heck, let’s give it a try.  Because if there’s one thing I KNOW it’s that I certainly have a lot to be grateful for this year!

I’m grateful for my husband.  He is basically the best man in the entire world.  He is my whole life and has provided me with so much motivation to live a life I love.  Marrying him is surely the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am truly the luckiest girl in the world to get to spend my life with him.  

I’m grateful for our beautiful little home.  It’s got character, it’s just the right size, and most importantly, it feels like home.  I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.  I’m proud that we’ve made it through 2 full years of mortgage payments so far.  We are making it.

I’m grateful for my health.  I’ve been beating myself up for not being able to get to the gym or eat like I want to eat lately, but thank God I’ve been blessed with a body that won’t punish me too badly.  Eventually this time will pass and I should be in a position to get back at it without too much pain.  

I’m grateful for friends.  And I certainly have a lot of them.  I love having numerous circles and places to go and things to do and always having someone to text my random thoughts too... as if this blog was not enough ;)


I’m grateful for the things that could be.  That we have hope for the future and that tomorrow is another chance to turn it all around.  So here’s to turning it around!  The holidays are coming and I’m not going to miss out on the joy of the season!

post signature

The Newlywed Holiday Gift Guide


It’s almost Christmas.  The wedding is long past, a mere memory, and you’re I’m longing to extend the magic of that moment for as long as is emotionally possible.  Yes, I love that we’ve settled into the comfort and ease of married life, but that doesn’t mean you have to ignore that “newlywed” status just yet.  It may be our 3rd holiday living together, but I’m considering this season a “first” and will relish every second of it.  So what do you get the love of your life when you feel like you have it all? (or at least all you can afford.  I know that wedding left your fiance bone dry!)  I’ve got a few ideas to keep the wedding magic lingering, and the love growing.  These ideas are sentimental and unique.

Games.  
Something fun and social that forces you to talk and laugh with one another.  Check out this amazing and FREE printable newlywed game courtesy of The Dating Divas.  I’m loving it and cannot wait to play!


An ornament.  
I hand painted one when we bought our first home, and wanted to continue the holiday ornament tradition for each milestone of our lives.  Not necessarily making them, but just adding them to represent something special from the year.  This time I found one at the store and thought it would make the perfect addition to our tree!   

Ok, this may seem simple, but I feel like I constantly have 5 things on my fridge that I am attempting to shove under a lone magnet because I have no way to keep them up there.  What better way to remember the magic of your wedding than to keep it displayed in a logic place?  You’ll change the things you’re putting up, but the magnets remain constant.  Make them meaningful.

Date night in an envelope.  
Usually my spouse is the one that pays for our dates.  Yea, I know it’s technically both of our money now, but it still makes me feel good to take the initiative every now and then.  Keep it simple, like movie passes and a restaurant gift card, and enjoy a romantic date night on the town.  If you need help with this gift, check out Pinterest for cute ideas.

Anniversary keychain.  
I can thankfully say that I am in no way worried about my husband forgetting our anniversary.  He’s just not that kind of guy (I think).  But if you are at all worried about the perpetually forgetful hubs, gift him with this keychain ahead of time - it's handmade.  If he’s ever in doubt, he has a place to look without seeming insensitive and having to ask ;)  



Playing cards.
...with the most ridiculous groomsmen photo you can find.  You can see these ones from Shutterfly pictured with a lovely perfect little family, but he’ll love it THAT much more if they’re plastered with the hilariousness that are his best friends.  And his friends will enjoy them too next time you play together!



Which picture should I choose?  Vote in comments below!  
#1 Stadium Stroll

#2 Great Escape

#3 Boozin' Brah


post signature

In Celebration of Fall

It’s been a minute, I know.  It’s been a tough couple of months full of emotions, mindlessness, and soul searching.  I’ve had ups and downs and am slowly feeling myself come back into my own skin, relishing the few things we’ve done to celebrate the season in this house.  I decorated the place here and there, from an outdoor fall patio, to a few wooden pumpkins and Tom and Turkey, pictured below.  


We carved real pumpkins, pre-Orioles loss obviously.  They lasted only a week, but I had the best time making it.



We attended a fall wine fest with some of my very bests.  Nothing like plaid and boots to get in you in the mood for Fall.


We dressed up for Halloween for the first time in 4 years.  I won’t even mention what happened the last time I dressed up, as it was probably my lowest point, but I’m sure I’ll share the story another day ;)  Anyway, it’s taken me 4 years to want to celebrate Halloween again, and this time it was one of the most fun night’s I’ve had in a while.  I gave myself an animal nose and a tail, 2 of my favorite things, and had perky ears to top it all off.  I couldn’t have been more pleased with my costume!  




So what's next on the agenda?  Bring on the holidays and time with family and friends!  I'm ready to get back to my life and back to the celebrations!

The Hump Day Blog Hop

post signature